Logic – For the love of it

Bandwagon Fallacy

classification : informal – fallacy of relevance

One argues for an idea based upon an irrelevant appeal to its popularity.

Foundations

The logical argument here is:

Everyone (the majority) is doing it.
The majority is always right.
If I do it, I will be in the majority, therefore right.

Unfortunately, the premise “the majority is right” may not be true.

Examples

Since 88% of the people polled believed in UFOs, they must exist.

In a court of law, the jury vote by majority, therefore they will always make the correct decision.

Other Names

Appeal to Popularity

Argument by Consensus

Argumentum ad Populum

Authority of the Many

© 2009, jhslee. All rights reserved.